Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Out of pocket for awhile

I have been preoccupied with family matters the last week or so, resulting in very little time given to the blogosphere. That will continue to be the case for the next week or two, as well.

Though I have often failed, I have consciously tried to live by a set of priorities that has served me well over the last 26 years. These priorities have been derived from asking myself a basic question, "What has God called me to be?" As I think through the answers to that question a series of fundamental commitments emerge rather clearly and in a very decisive order (see the article linked below). By God's grace, I try to live by those commitments.

Doing so has led me to cancel out of the upcoming Founders Conference next week in Oklahoma. It will the first one I have missed since its inception 24 years ago. My wife, Donna, was scheduled to speak to the ladies this year on, "Stand By Your Man as He Walks the Line" (thank Tom Nettles and the timing of the release of the Johnny Cash film for the title!). Some medical difficulties have arisen with Donna that need our attention close to home. It is nothing that is imminently life-threatening as far as we know, but it is requiring a full engagement with the medical community and I need to be by her side as we navigate this course. There is absolutely nowhere that I would rather be.

Thanks for your prayers. We are asking the Lord to provide us good counsel, wisdom to make God-honoring choices, favor with those with whom we consult and the ability to represent Him well at every step of the process. As appropriate, I will try to give an update in the future.

32 comments:

I'll be praying for your family in the days ahead (esp. Donna). Thanks for reminding me about your article on Pastoral Priorities. I remember reading it a few years ago and finding it very helpful. I look forward to re-reading it and re-implementing its principles in my own life.

The Grace Heritage family will be praying for you. Thanks for ignoring lesser things as you attend to your dear wife. Conference attendees will miss your ministry, but many have already profited from an example of faithfulness.

Your ministry is a gift to us, but your wife is the crown jewel. Thank you for not only faithfully presenting sound theology but also exhibiting godly living and modeling how we should treasure our wives in any and all circumstances. Of all the various things I have learned from your pen, I have much more grateful from the things I have learned from your feet. Please know that my wife and I will be praying for you and Mrs. Donna.

It is so encouraging that in moments like this where our God is so evident. More than theological abstractions and "systems," our God is personal and sovereign--and for this I am grateful. To this God who can do all things I lift up my prayer on behalf of you and your family. May He ground your assurance in His Word and steady your confidence in His work, and by His Spirit grant you peace and inestimable comfort during these times.

As we continue to pray for Tom & Donna, I would like to find out how many of you will be at the conference. Having never gone to one, and yet being familiar with many of you by way of your comments on this blog as well as others, I am hoping to be able to meet many D.O.G.bloggers face to face.#:) I am...grateful for grace.

Ya'll will be in our prayers. I appreciate your writing about priorities. When I was ordained at the Highland Baptist Church in Meridian, MS a godly woman named Norma Davis shared the same list with me. Thanks for the refresher course.

In Jesus' name, I pray that God may bless your home. May His angels provide a hedge of protection from the unrelenting attack of the enemy. May His peace pass ALL understanding in your lives. May He be Jehovah Jirah, THE ONE AND ONLY Provider. And may He be merciful and be Jehovah Raffa THE ONE AND ONLY Healer and Physician.